Claire Poynter, the new head of children’s services at the Orion Township Library, didn’t start her career as a librarian, but she has always been in love with books.
A native of Danville, Illinois (also the hometown of actor Gene Hackman and Van Dyke brothers Dick and Jerry), Poynter earned her undergraduate degree at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, with a plan to have a career in book publishing.
‘I worked in publishing, and in book stores,? she said. ‘After about three years, I went to Wayne State University and got my master’s degree in library science.?
Working in book stores, Poynter said she was able to see the importance of the local libraries.
‘I saw so many families who used the book store as a resource…I thought they could rent some books rather than buy them, and I wanted to do more storytimes.?
Poynter, who is married to Oxford High School teacher and girls basketball coach Al Poynter, said she loves working with children.
She was the head of the children’s department at Independence Township Library.
‘I’m thoroughly amused by (children), and amazed by their thought processes,? she said.
Poynter was at the Independence library for three years, and lives in Waterford.
‘I saw the posting for the job in Orion and I went to school with one of the librarians here,? she said. ‘I was impressed with it.?
Poynter started in mid-December, and said she loves her job.
‘I’ve been very impressed with the families in the community and the support of the library,? she said. ‘I work with four other librarians here (in the children’s department), and we have a great staff.?
Poynter has found Lake Orion to be ‘teeming with kids,? and is becoming more familiar with the area. Her husband has been at OHS for three years.
‘We’re thinking of moving here,? she said.? I like the history of the village and all the lakes.?
She said Orion’s library is a bigger facility than Independence, with ‘an obvious emphasis on children’s services.?
‘I would like to expand the children’s area in the next few years,? added Poynter. ‘I’m really proud of it, all of our technology and the book collection.?
As part of her job, Poynter does scheduling for the other children’s librarians and works on the budget as well as programs and communication with the library’s other areas.
‘I’m trying to become as familiar with the collection as possible,? she said. ‘I don’t have kids, but I have a collection of children’s books at home.?
Among her favorites are ‘Lima Bean Monster,? and books by Cynthia Rylant and Sharon Creech.
‘My favorite new chapter book is Ida B. by Katherine Hannigan,? said Poynter. ‘I’m also a big fan of books with ‘gross boy humor.??
She’s usually reading three or four books at a time, and when she is able to ‘sneak? an adult book in, she enjoys reading authors Jodi Picoult and Jonathan Kellerman.
In 2004, Poynter was the chair of the Mitten Award, which goes to a children’s book selected by Michigan librarians from the hundreds published that year.
In Orion, Poynter said she will work to make the children’s department more ‘user-friendly,? and she recently worked on rearranging the collection and adding more shelving.
‘We are also planning a program to get boys and dads involved…We will have a father/son book club this fall,? she said. ‘I want the kids to see books as something other than homework.
‘I want our department to be a resource for parents, with literacy as an emphasis for childhood development.?
Poynter believes reading to your child just a few minutes a day makes a huge difference.
‘Even babies,? she said.
This year’s summer reading theme is ‘Dragons, Dreams and Daring Deeds,? which was kicked off with an outdoor fair on June 11.
‘Our summer reading program will be nine weeks this year,? she said.